US 1847 First Stamps

  These stamps need no introduction and are probably at the top of the want list of any serious US collector

Following the precedent set in England in 1840, Congress approved the Post Office Act of March 3, 1847. This authorized the U.S. Postmaster General "to prepare postage stamps, which, when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the payment of postage chargeable on such letter."

Genuine issues courtesy US collector

Period essays

Die proof on India paper

1875 reprints

There are several features that distinguish them from the originals.

The simplest is the initials below in the margin frame
The initials “R. W. H. & E.” on the first issues, are more legible than on the reproductions.

Also, the reproductions are slightly shorter and a bit wider than the originals.

Fake covers will generally have reproductions.

As well,

5c. On the originals the left side of the white shirt frill touches the oval on a level with the top of the F of "Five". On the reproductions it touches the oval about on a level with the top of the figure 5·

On the originals. the bottom of the right leg of the N in "CENTS"' is blunt. On the reproductions. the N comes to a paint at the bottom.

10c. On the reproductions. the gap between the bottom legs of the left X is noticeably wider than the gap on the right X. On the originals. the gaps are of equal width.

They were issued in 1875 for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia but they were not available for sale at the show. 

Instead, these and the other 1875 “Special Printings” were produced so that the Post Office Department would be able to display, at the Expo., a complete set of all United States stamps issued to that time.

They were placed on sale to collectors from the office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General in Washington, D.C.

Although the first issue (demonetized on July 1, 1851) were valid for postage during the life of the reproductions, the reproductions were never valid postage but they are catalogued among the postage stamps and some postally use examples apparently exist.

Forgeries & copies

Oneglia forgeries

Moens forgeries

Moschkau facsimile circa 1860

Sperati forgery - one of 3 types

- There is a small protrusion outside the frame left of the X

- There is a small dot on the bottom of the O of POST

Peter Winter forgery - circa 1985

Winter generally does good work.

He often uses his forgeries to make fake covers

- The main difference lies in the letters. The are not the same size or shape and the serifs do not match the originals.

These forgeries are fairly common and reasonably well made

- The top letters are shorter and further away from the top frame line

- There is a double outer frame line

- The large X's touch and cut into the oval frame

- The face and expression is different

- They all appear to have a large black dot bottom left of the eye

Another of the same type

The circular cancel reads CORREOS 7.1.60. II-III - also found on stamps of South America

There is some thought these are from Spiro or even having some Torres involvement.

Another version of the above. It appears to be fairly common.

Note the left X out of alignment and the very small opening in the P

It is noted to be a Spiro forgery

The right stamp compared to the left proof is very well executed.

It was provided by a forum member as a forgery

I have no confirmation of a Sperati forgery of the 5c

There appears to be some minor differences and I am not confident on its nature.

This set was apparently made for:

The 1881 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta.

Modern Litho reproductions

Unless removed the reverse should have a "COPY" stamp

Torres from his 1879 catalog

Addendum

This stamp was submitted to a FB forgery group and despite the small poor quality camera image the "experts" there all concluded it was genuine.

Here it is enlarged and enhanced.

The lower letters cut into the frame line covering the initials.

As well the E is quite distorted

This is the only such example I have come across.

If anyone else has seen this issue, please contact me.